Assigstob to chicago-cleveland cab



Filed Feb. 20, 192534 5 Sheets-'Sheet l vwentoz:

feg.

E. R. SWANSON CAR ROOF July 16? 1929.

Filed Feb. 20, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,..myv .\n \N..

July 16, 1929. E. R. swANsoN CAR ROOF 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 20,- 1928 July 16, 1929. E. R. SWANSON' v 1.720,976

CAR ROOF Filed Feb. 20, 1928 5 Sheec,s-Sheec, 4

E. R. SWYANSQN 1,720,976

CAR RooF Filed Feb. zo, 192e July 16, 1929.

5 ASheets-Sheet 5 Patented July ie, i929.

aa'ranr EARL R. SWANSON, OF GAK PARK, ELLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO-CLEVELAND CAR BOOFING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, LLINOIS, A CORPORATON OF DELAWARE.

CAR ROOF.

Applicationled February 20, 1928.

The invention relates to car roofs and more particularlyY to a car roof employing'a plurality of metallic roof sheets in which relative movement is permitted between the sheets anu also between the car roof frame members and the sheets.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a flexible car roof having a stronger and more durable seam formation and which is easily applied andl of simple construction.

A primary feature of the invention consistsv in providing the car roof with a plurality of roof sheets arranffed in spaced relation longitudinally of the car and interposing between the neighboring side edges of adjacent sheets, members having substantially plane downwardly diverging sides, troughshaped seam caps respectively embracing said members and having portions disposed on opposite sides thereof for engaging the adjacent roof sheets, and wedging meansy embracing the said members and scam caps for fercing portions of the latter towards the sides of the said members to rigidly clamp the seam caps thereto.

A further feature of the invention resides in providing a flexible car roof with a plurality of carlines having downwardly diverging sides and in associating therewith a plurality of roof sheets respectively spanning the spaces between the carlines, thel lateral edges of the sheets being flanged upwardly and terminating short of the sides of the Carlines, scam caps embracing the carlincs and having downwardly diverging sides adapted to embrace the sides of the latter, the lower portions of the sides ofthe seam caps being fashioned with outwardly bent portions forming housings forV the upwardly flanged edges of the roof sheets and means for forcing the downwardly diverging sides of the seam caps into wedging engagement with the sides of the carlines to rigidly Clamp the seam caps thereto.

' A still further feature of the invention con Serial No. 255,835.

the carlines being in substantial alinement longitudinally of the car; seam caps einbracing each of the carlines and having downwardly diverging sides, the upper portions of which are adapted to engage with the sides of the carlines and means for forcing the upper portions of the sides of the seam caps into wedging enffagement with the sides of the carlines.

'In the drawings a radial type of roof has been choosen for illustration, as the invention is particularly suitable for application to that type of roc-f.

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of the car roof embodying my invention, parts of the roof sheets being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of onehalf of the upper end ofthe car.

Fig.' 3 is a transverse sectional view of the car roof taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the car roof taken on line 4 4, Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the manner in which the seam caps are. rigidly secured to the carlines.

Fig. 6 is a transverse Isectional view of a carline showing a seam cap and adjacent roof sheets in assembled relation thereto.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary pian view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8 8, Fig. 7, parts of the seam cap and roof sheet being broken away.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view on the line 9 9, Fig. 8.

' Fig. l0 is a View corresponding to that of F ig. 6, showingr a modified arrangement of the manner in which the seam caps cooperate with adjacent roof sheets. y

Fig. 11 is a view, also similar `to Fig. 6, showingA a still vfurther modified arrangem-ent.

Referring to Figures l to 6 inclusive, l in# dicates the side plates of the car roof frame, each of the plates being preferably of Z-shape having ahorizontal flange 2 and oppositely extending inner and outer vertical flanges 3 and 4 respectively. Attached to the side plates by any suitable means, such as angle brackets 5, are the usual end plates 6 of the car roof frame. The end plates may also preferably be of Z-shape and the inner upwardly extend-ing thereof prrig'essvely in Valinement longitudinally of the car.

creases in height toward the ridffe of the car b C roof.

Extending transversely of the car are a plurality of inverted substantially channelshaped cai-lines 8, each being fashioned with aV top web portion 9 and downwardly diverging sides 1() which terminate in outwardly projecting lateral base flanges 11. Adjacent theV brackets being suitably secured to the inner upstanding flange 3 of the side plate and to the horizontal portions 12 of the base flanges of the carlines by rivets 14 and 15 respectively.

Extending longitudinally of the car are the usual purlins 16 and ridge pole 17, both contacting with the undersurfaces of the base flanges of the carlines and being secured toV the carlines by any suitable means, such as bolts 18, which pass through and depend downwardly from the web 9 of the carlines. The ends of the purlins and ridge pole may advantageously be secured to the end plate by means of a bracket 19 which is rigidly connected to the purlins and ridge pole and to the inner vertical flange 7 of the end plates.

Spanning the spaces between the carlinesand extending continuously from one side plate to the other are a plurality of roof sheets 2O which. rest upon and are supported by the purlins 16 and ridge pole 17. The roof sheets as well as the carlines 8 aresuitably arched and the under surfaces of the roof sheets and of the laterally projecting base flanges of the carlines are struck on an arc of substantially the same radius, thus being in substantial In other words, corresponding` portions of the under surfaces of the roof sheets and of the base flanges of the carline are disposed at the saine elevation longitudinally of the car.

rl`he lateral marginal edges of each of the roof sheets. with the exception of the outer edge of each end sheet, are flanged upwardly and terminate short of the respective sides of the cooperating carlines. These flanged portionsl are formed by bending each of the sheets upwardly as at 21 to clearv the outer edges of the base fianges 11 of the carlines and then incline upwardly as at 22 towards.

Y end sheet is flanged downwardly as at 25 and secured, by suitable bolts 26, to the outer .faceof an end fascia 27.

Embracing each of the carlines is a substantially trough-shaped seam cap 28 extending continuously from one eaves edge of the car to the opposite one. Each of the seam caps is y provided with a substantially flat web 29and lownwardly diver-ging sides 30, the web and the upper portions of the sides of the seam eaps being respectively in continuous, contact with the webs and .sides 9V and 10 ofthe carlines fory substantially the entire lengthV of the latter. The lower portions of the sides of each of the seam caps are formed with steps 31 for housing the upsta'nding iianges of the adjacent portions of each roof sheet. VEach of the housings is formed by bending the sides of thesteam caps outwardly as at 32, then downwardly as at 33, to lie preferably in a plan-e parallel to that of the sides of the carline and then outwardly and downwardly as at 34. These portions 34 of the seam caps bear against thexupwardly inclined portions 22 ofthe several roof sheets. c

The eaves edges of each of the roof sheets are provided with a return bentportion 35 adapted to have a'sliding interlocking conneclines. Each seamclamp is fashioned with a top web portion 42 and downwardly diverging sides 43, the divergence of the sides of the clamps being less than the divergence of the sides of the carlines so that when the clamps are drawn downwardly the Asides of the seam caps are forced into wedging engagement with the sides of the carlines. Depending downwardly between the sides of each of the clamps and secured vto the web thereof by any suitable means is a pin or bolty 4 4, the webs or top port-ions ofthe seam caps 28 and carlineslO being apertured as at 45 and 46 respectively to permit the pin or bolt to extend therethrough. Thellower portion of the bolt is desirably tapered as at 47 toA form a drift forentering the corresponding apertures of the seanl caps and carlines so as to enforce shiftingof the seam `caps to proper assembled position when the clampis applied.l Intermediate its ends the bolt vis provided with an elongated slot 48 for receiving a wedge key 49, the wedge being preferably formed from a strip of metal bent upon itself, thefree ends 50 of which may be, after the Aso ooY

wedge is driven into proper position, spread apart, as indicated in Figure y6, to prevent the wedge from being accidentally displaced due to the stra-ins to which each carline s sul)- jectedand to the constant jarring action of the car. lt will thus be seen, by reason of the fact that the top face of the wedge key 49 normally contacts with the under surface of the web of the carline, that by driving the wedge into the slot the clamp will be drawn downwardly towards the carline and inimovably wedge the-sides of the seam caps to the sides of the carlines.

In Figures .7 to 9 inclusive of the drawings the invention is illustrated as applied to a Icar roof of that type embodying an inside wooden roof. In this modified construction, 51 indicates the side plates, each being Z-shaped and having a vertical web 52 and oppositely eX- tending substantially horizontal flanges 53. .Thecarlines -54 rest upon and are 'secured to the inwardly extending horizontal flanges of the side plates, preferably by any suitable means. The purlins 55 and ridge pole 56 are secured'to the 'upper portion of the carlines 54 by bolts 57. Resting upon the upper surface of theinwardly directed flanges of the .;7.bar side plates are spacers 58 providing a means of support and attachment for the preferably diagonal 'course of boards 59 constituting the inside roof. The boards are also supported by and secured to the purlins 55 and the ridge pole 56.

The roof sheets employed in this type of roof are formed identical with those used in the type `of roof illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive and corresponding portions of the sheets have been designated by like reference `geou'sly made of hard wood.

characters. interposed between the adjacent edges of the roof sheets are a plurality of filler blocks or members 60 which are advanta- These fillers are secured to the inside wooden roof 59 by bolts 6l, and the sides 62 of each preferably divergedownwardly in a manner similar to that of the carlines l0. Seam caps, identical with those illustrated best in Figure 6 of the drawings, are arranged to embrace all of the members interposed between each pair of roof sheets and cooperate with the adjacent edges of the roofsheets inthe same manner as the seam caps disclosed in liigures l to 6inclusive of the drawings.

The eaves edges of the car are formed similarly to the eaves edges of the form of the j from the web portion 68 ofthe clamp through suitable apertures in the seam caps and wooden fillers, the lower end of the bolt 6? beingr threaded to receive a nut 69. s in the former case the divergence of the sides of the clamps is less than that of the sides 62 of the wooden filler, and it will be perceived that by rotating the nut 69 the sides of the clamps will force the downwardly diverging sides of the seam caps into wedging engagement with the sides of the wooden fillers to rigidly clamp the seam caps to the. latter.

Figure 10 illustrates a modified arrangement of the manner in which each seam cap cooperates with and engages the adjacent edges of neighboring sheets. The downwardly bent portions 33 of the sides of the seam caps are somewhat shorter than the corresponding portions of the seam caps illustrated in Figure 6 so that, instead of the outwardly bent portions 34 of the seam caps contacting with the upwardly inclined portions 22 of each of the roof sheets, the outwardly projecting edges 24 of the roof sheets engage with the outwardly and downwardly bent portions 32 of the seam caps. In each of the arrangements illustrated in Figures 6, Q and l() the outer edges of the outwardly extending portions 24 of each of the roof sheets is spaced from the downwardly bent portions 33 of each of the seam caps a greater distance than the upwardly iianged portion 23 of each roof sheet is spaced from the adjacent side l0 of the Carlino illustrated in Figures 6 and 10 and from the adjacent side 62 of the wooden filler member illustrated in Figure 9. it will thus be seen that when relativeinovement is induced between the roof sheets and the several frame members of the car roof, portions 23 of the roof sheets will contact with the adjacent sides of either the carlines or liller members, as the case may be, thus limiting movement of the sheets and preventing the outwardiy extending portions 24 of the roof sheets from engaging the downwardly eX- tending portions 33 of the seam caps.

in the modified arrangement illustrated in Figure 1l, one end of the roof sheet is integrally formed with a portion 70, similar to the seam caps heretofore disclosed adapted to embrace one of the carlines and to cooperatc with and engage with a portion 7l of the adjacent roof sheet disposed on the opposite side of the carline. This portion 7l of the roof sheets is bent similarly to the flanged portion of the roof sheets illustrated in Figure 6.

In each of the forms of the invention illustrated the lat-eral marginal edges of the roof sheets are flanged so as to have upward spring action against engaging portions of the seam caps from one eaves edge thereof to the other. Thus, when the roof sheets move toward the sides of the carlines, engagement between the sheets and the seam caps will be maintained llO opposite edgecf each sheet. Due to themanner of securing the seam caps to the carlines y.trough-shaped seam caps respectively embracing said members and having portions disposed on opposite sides of the latter for engaging the adjacent roof sheets, and wedge ing means embracing the members and seam caps foi-forcing the latter towards the downwardly diverging sides of said lmembers to rigidly clamp the seam caps thereto.

2. In a flexible'car roof, the combination with a plurality of roof sheets arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the car, of a member having downwardly diverging sides interposed between each of the neighboring side edges of adjacent sheets, seam caps respectively embracing said members, the upper portions of each of said caps being adapted to engage with the downwardly diverging sides of said members and the lower portions of said caps being respectively adapted to engage thev roofl sheets, and wedging means einbracing the members and seam caps for forcing the upper portions of the latter towards the diverging sides of said members to rigidly clamp the seam caps thereto.

3. In a flexible car roof, the combination with a plurality of carlines having downwardly flaring sides, of a plurality of roofing sheets respectively spanning the spaces between said carlines, the lateral marginal edges of each of said sheets terminating short of the sides of the respective carlines, seam caps Y respectively embracing the lattei and `having 'portions disposed :on opposite sides thereof Afor engaging the adjacent roof sheets, and

means embracing the seam caps for forcing portions of the latter towards the flaring sides of the carlines to rigidly lclamp the seam caps thereto.

4t. In a flexible car roof, the `combination with a plurality of carlines having downwardly diverging sides, of a plurality Aof roof sheets respectively spanning the spaces between said carlines, the lateral marginal edges of each yof said sheets being flanged upwardlyand terminating short of the sides of the respective carlines, seam caps embracing the carlines and having downwardly diverging sides adapted to engage the sides of the latter, the lower portions of the sides of the seam caps being fashioned with outwardly bent portions forming housings for the upwardly flanged edges of the roof sheets, and

web and downwardly diverging sides, the

lower portions of the latter being offset Ato forni housings for the upstanding flanges of the roof sheets, and wedgingv means embracing the carlines and seam caps for forcing the latter towards the Vdownwardly diverging sides of the carlines to rigidly clamp the seam caps thereto.

v6. In a flexible car roof, the combinationV with side plates, of ya pluralityxof channelshaped carlines connecting said plates, each of the carlines having a weband sides diverging downwardly therefrom, a-plurality of roof sheets respectively spanning the spaces defined by the carlines and side plates, the lateral marginal edges of 'each of said shcetstcr-Y Cil niinating short of the sides of the respective Y.

carlines and being provided with upstaiiding flan ges, seam caps respectively embracing said carlines and each having a web and :downwardly diverging sides, the webs and upper portions of the sides of the seam caps being respectively in continuous contact with the webs and sides of the carlines for substantially the entire length of the latter, and means for forcing the sides of the respective seam caps into wedging engagement with of the cooperating carlines.

7. In a flexible car roof, the combination the sides with a plurality of roof sheetsarranged iny spaced relation longitudinally of the car, the' lateral marginal edgesof said sheets being fashioned with upstanding flanges, channeliic shaped carlines respectively interposed be-'l tween the lateral edges of said sheets, each of said carlines having downwardly diverging sides, a seam cap embracing each of said carlines and being providedwith downwardly flaring sides for engaging neighboring Vportions of adjacent roof sheets, and a plurality of clamps embracing each of the carlines, said clamps having downwardly diverging sides of less divergence than the sides of the carlines for forcing the sides of the seam caps toward the latter to rigidly clamp the seam caps to the carlines.

8. In a flexiblecar roof, the combination y with a plurality of channel-shaped carlines, each having downwardly diverging sides terminating in outwardly projecting lateral base anges, a plurality of roof sheets respectively ISD' vspanning the spaces between said carlines, the lateral marginal edges of each of said sheets being fashioned with an upstanding flange disposed adjacent the sides of the respective carlines, the under surface of the main body portion of said roof sheets and the under surface of the lateral base flanges of the carlines being in alinement longitudinally of the car, seam caps .respectively embracing the ycarlines having portions engaging the roof sheets on opposite sides of the latter, and a plurality of wedging means embracing each of the carlines and seam caps for forcing the latter towards ther diverging sides of the carlines to rigidly clamp the seam caps thereto.

9. In a flexible car roof, the combination with side plates and purlins, channel-shaped carlineshaving downwardly diverging sides terminating in outwardly7 projecting lateral base flanges, the latter engaging with the side plates and purlins, roof sheets respectively interposed between said carlines and resting on said purlins, the under surface of the main body portion of each of said sheets and the under surface of the lateral base llanges of the carlines being in substantial alinement lont gitudinally of the car, seam caps respectively embracing said carlines having downwardly dii/'erging sides adapted to engage portions of adjacent roof sheets, the upper portions of said seam caps being in engagement with the sidesof the carlines. and means for forcing the said upper portions of the sides of the seam caps into wedging engagement with the sides of the carlines.

l0. In a flexible radial car roof, the combination with a plurality of carlines having vsubstantially plane downwardly diverging sides, of. a plurality of roof sheets respectively interposed between said earlines, the lateral marginal edges of each of said sheets terminating in an upstanding flange, seam caps iaving downwardly diverging sides respectively engaging the carlines and extending from one side of the roof to the opposite side thereof, each of said seam caps having down` wardly diverging sides adapted to engage with upper portions of the plane sides of the carlines, the lower portions of the sides of each of the seam caps being formed with a step to house the upstanding ange of the adjacent portion of each sheet, the said steps of the seam caps extending from end to end of the caps and the lateral edges thereof terminating in an engagement with the roof sheets, and means for clamping the sides of the caps to the carlines.

1l. In a flexible car roof,the combination with a plurality of cai-lines having downwardly diverging sides, of a plurality of roof sheets respectively interposed between the carlines, the lateral marginal edges of each of said sheets being bent upwardly and terminating' in a flange extending outwardly away from the adjacent side of the neighboring carline, seam caps having downwardly diverging sides respectively embracing the carlines, the lower portions of the sides of the seam caps being fashioned with an outwardly bent portion and a downwardly bent portion to form a housing for the flanged i'narginal edges of the roof sheets, the outer edge of the outwardly extending flange of each roof sheet being spaced from the downwardly bent portion of each seam cap a greater distance than the upstanding flange of each roof sheet is spaced from the adjacent side of each carline, and a plurality of means embracing each of the seam caps for forcing the sides of the latter into wedging enga-gement with the sides of the carlines.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

EARL R. SWANSON. 

